No fertilizers or expensive products – this simple gesture when watering completely changes the health of your cacti

I am a plant lover, but when I was given my first cactus, I went to better life very quickly. I am not an expert in gardening, but I do have knowledge about basic care for plant growth. I could use some tips on how to care care of them, so as my indoor plants. Let’s see everything you need to know about hand-held cacti from real gardening experts  and learn all the necessary tricks.

Cacti

The cacti is a species native to Africa and America, present in arid desert climates where water is scarce. Unlike other plants, cacti store water in their stems, open their small and very glued leaves so that the water enters the whole plant, to be supplied as needed. There are hundreds of different species. In fact, There is a museum/garden in Lanzarote, in the Canary Islands, a garden that collects more than 500 species from the 5 continents, called El Jardín de Cactus. 

Common mistakes

More related to knowledge than effort, keeping a cactus alive is not a difficult task, even for those beginning in gardening. Despite being the simplest species, it is not worth to water them once in life and forget about their existence. Gardeners recommend several tips for quality care, for both outer and inner health. 

Wate

We tend to do it wrong in terms of quantity and timing. Being natural plants of arid and dry climates, we tend to water them more than usual, without taking into account that they themselves absorb the water and are use it depending on its needs. Overwatering is a practice that can seriously weaken them. It is also necessary to take into account the time of watering, which is not all year. The Verdecora blog collects testimonies from specialist gardeners who suggest the following cacti watering system: from autumn to early spring, they should not be watered at all! This resting stage is vital for them to stay strong.

Easy peasy! Do not water during the cold months and start to do it in spring. Watering is not about putting it under the tap. It is vital that the root is abundantly moistened so that it absorbs the necessary amount. Afterwards, the cactus drains the excess itself and that prevents the proliferation of fungi.

Exposure to light

Where to place my cactus? It’s a key decision. They do need light, but not everyone tolerates it the same way. If you are indoors, it is recommended to put them near a window facing east. If they are in an outdoor garden, it is important that they do not receive direct sunlight throughout the day. To prevent burns, avoid exposure to the sun during the strongest hours of midday.

Choosing the right substrate

We believe that generic substrates are suitable for all plants, but in the case of cacti it is better to choose a specific one with their nutrients and needs. In addition, it also reduces the risk of putrefaction, since it facilitates the evacuation of excess water. It is important to promote the elimination of moisture, as it can be harmful.

Cacti in Winter

If you live in a cold place or where the winters are hard, this information interests you. One of the biggest enemies of cacti is the cold. If the temperature drops below 8ºC, you should put it under cover, as they can dry and burn with low temperatures. In conclusion and as we addressed at the beginning, the care of a cactus is not extremely difficult and hardly requires time. If you follow these tips and use quality products, the life of our cacti will be long.

Here you can read more about gardening tricks!